I'm thinking of entering a triathlon in August (Bassetlaw, since it's the closest to me in Sheffield). I've been wanting to give one a go just as a personal challenge (really I'll be very happy if I finish not in last place!) and as I'm a very weak swimmer I thought a novice-friendly sprint triathlon with a short swim (400m indoors) would be good. I learned to swim as a child but never really got very good at it, and my general attitude before getting into rowing and cycling at uni over the last couple of years was to avoid all sport if possible! I've got about 8 weeks to get some training in so I don't completely embarrass myself.
Does anybody have any advice on how to improve my swimming to an acceptable level in the next 8 weeks or so? I think I will be able to swim 400m breaststroke without killing myself but I can't really swim front crawl for more than 100m without my terrible technique tiring me out. Is it ridiculous to consider swimming a triathlon using breaststroke?
Also, with regards to kit, being a student I don't want to spend any money on triathlon-specific kit since it's uncertain if I will ever do anther one. I've got bib shorts and jerseys for the cycle but I'm not sure what to wear for the swim - can I swim in my bib shorts or will it make the bike ride really uncomfortable? Alternatively, I've got a rowing unisuit (made of lycra and I imagine it could work a bit like a trisuit) which I could potentially wear for everything.
Thanks in advance guys. Any advice would be much appreciated!
Does anybody have any advice on how to improve my swimming to an acceptable level in the next 8 weeks or so? I think I will be able to swim 400m breaststroke without killing myself but I can't really swim front crawl for more than 100m without my terrible technique tiring me out. Is it ridiculous to consider swimming a triathlon using breaststroke?
Also, with regards to kit, being a student I don't want to spend any money on triathlon-specific kit since it's uncertain if I will ever do anther one. I've got bib shorts and jerseys for the cycle but I'm not sure what to wear for the swim - can I swim in my bib shorts or will it make the bike ride really uncomfortable? Alternatively, I've got a rowing unisuit (made of lycra and I imagine it could work a bit like a trisuit) which I could potentially wear for everything.
Thanks in advance guys. Any advice would be much appreciated!